Photonics Engineers
Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.
About the profession
Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.
How to Get Started
Take a personality test to see if Photonics Engineers fits your profile
Career Match Test →Explore the Career Path section to see progression from junior to senior
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Jump to Learning Path →Video
Occupation on screen: Mechatronics Engineers (O*NET 17-2199.05). The Department of Labor publishes one film per occupation family, and this is the film it lists for Photonics Engineers (17-2199.07), which is how Photonics Engineers is classified. Closed captions in English and Spanish. CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration)
Personality Fit
Based on the Photonics Engineers role, here are the RIASEC personality types that tend to thrive in this career. While these alignments are common, individual success depends on motivation, skill development, and finding the right work environment.
Realistic
Hands-on, practical, technical work
Investigative
Research, analysis, problem-solving
Conventional
Organizing, detail-oriented, structured
Not sure if these types match you? Take the full RIASEC assessment (4 min) to discover your personality profile and see how it aligns with hundreds of careers.
Career Path
Your career progression roadmap with salary growth at each level
Career Ladder
Junior Photonics Engineer → Associate Photonics Engineer → Senior Photonics Engineer → Lead Photonics Engineer
Where are you on this career path?
Click a level below to set your current position
Salary Growth
4
Levels
$177K
Top Salary
8+
Years
Learning Path
Skills you need to develop and courses to get there
🚀
Set your current level first
Go to the Career Path tab and select your current level to see your personalized learning plan.
Go to Career PathCareer levels
Timeline: 0-2 | Entry Level Base: $62,130 - $90,853/year With equity/bonuses: $68,343 - $109,024 Top markets (SF/NYC): $71,450 - $109,024 Execute core tasks using Critical…
Skills used in this career
Click any skill to see how to learn it and what salary boost it gives
Day in Life
Junior vs Senior, daily schedule breakdown
9am, Analyze system performance or operational requirements. 10am, Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes,…
Income Dynamics
Conservative and aggressive scenarios for 10–15 years
Year 1: Entry level $43,491 - $81,768 Year 2-3: Junior level $90,853 - $113,596 Year 4-6: Mid level $113,596 - $123,162 Year 7-10: Senior level $123,162 - $155,713 Year 10+:…
Is this for me?
15 questions, answer honestly
You find the craft of a Photonics Engineer genuinely interesting, not just a paycheck You enjoy working with Critical Thinking and Reading Comprehension You communicate clearly…
💰 Pay for Engineers, All Other
BLS OEWS, May 2023The federal survey does not count this job title on its own — it is counted under Engineers, All Other (17-2199).
Half of U.S. workers in this occupation earn more than this, half earn less.
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Related Reading
Related Holland / RIASEC Types